By MIKE CAPUTO
Zafonte, 65, was arrested by Nassau County District Attorney investigators on the morning of March 18, and was arraigned that afternoon in First District Court in Hempstead. Prosecutors charged him with 14 felony counts of offering a false instrument for filing, 14 felony counts of falsifying business records and 32 misdemeanor counts of falsely reporting an incident and harassment.
At his arraignment, Zafonte, represented by former Hempstead Town Supervisor Gregory Peterson, pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released without bail on probationary terms. He is due back in court on April 1.
Zafonte declined comment when reached by the Herald.
A retired New York City Housing Police Department officer, Zafonte makes $115,000 as a chief investigator for the Hempstead town attorney's office, where he has worked for nearly 20 years, officials said. Mike Deery, a town spokesman, said that Zafonte mostly investigated complaints filed against town employees and worker compensation claims. He remains employed by the town, but was reassigned to other office duties after his arrest.
"Until the issues are resolved, we don't think he should be conducting investigatory work," Deery said.
Town Supervisor Kate Murray said she was "deeply disturbed" by the allegations and is disappointed in Zafonte.
Peterson said he intended to represent Zafonte only for the arraignment portion of the case. Zafonte has yet to retain new counsel for the remainder of the case, and, after telling the Herald he would not comment, added, "I'm reviewing my options."
Zafonte's "enemies"
District Attorney Kathleen Rice that said Zafonte targeted several "enemies," sending threatening letters to several government agencies, between mid-2002 and November 2007. At his arraignment, District Court Judge Angelo Delligatti issued six temporary court orders of protection that forbid Zafonte from contacting or going near several of his alleged victims, who include East Meadow School Superintendent Leon Campo and his family.
Zafonte's first letter, prosecutors said, targeted an East Meadow school employee in 2002 after Zafonte unsuccessfully lobbied for his daughter to be hired by the district. Prosecutors said the letter accused the employee of stealing funds from the district and depositing them in a Swiss bank account. Campo confirmed that he was that employee.
"I do praise District Attorney Rice and the people she has working there because without a commitment to protecting the public - a strong commitment - I don't think this day would have ever happened," said Campo, who was a deputy superintendent at the time of the incident. "It sends also a message to all of us who are average people that somebody is looking out for us. People can't simply roll through life victimizing others, harming anyone who they perceive is an obstacle and get away with it."
Zafonte also allegedly submitted false, anonymous reports to the state Office of Child and Family Services that accused several community members of child abuse, including a woman who responded to a letter he wrote that was published in the Herald, prosecutors said.
Rice said the false claims contained in each of Zafonte's letters were "thoroughly investigated and proven to be unfounded." The anonymous letters were linked to Zafonte when investigators from Rice's office matched a sample of his DNA and fingerprints to the letters.
One of the victims, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, said the news of Zafonte's arrest brought back disturbing memories of an unexpected visit by the Office of Child and Family Services and the "disgusting" accusations against the family. The victim declined to elaborate on the accusations, which were proved false by investigators.
"People keep calling me, e-mailing me and offering me congratulations, and some are calling me a hero," the person said. "I don't feel like a hero. I still feel like a victim."
Peterson, a member of the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce and Zafonte's former boss at the Town of Hempstead, said he believed many of the 60 charges against Zafonte were "repetitious." The defense attorney said he believes the allegations of Zafonte's false reports were not related to his role as a town investigator.
Peterson noted that the alleged incidents were reported between two and seven years ago, and said that his client "has not been a danger to the community." According to Peterson, Zafonte was recently hospitalized after being diagnosed with colon cancer, and was arrested by investigators on his way to a doctor's appointment.
Peterson praised Zafonte for his work with the East Meadow Civic and Community Service Association. "He has done a lot of good for the community in all the years I have known him," Peterson said.
Beginning April 1, Zafonte faces a series of hearings and conferences before a decision is made to settle the case or take it to trial, Peterson said.
Comments about this story? MCaputo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 287.
